Reverend Dr. Charles Willie Bickley

Reverend Dr. Charles Willie Bickley, affectionately known as "Willie", was born on October 21, 1960, in Columbia, South Carolina to Barbara Bickley and the late Charles. Charles departed his earthly life on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Augusta, SC. At the time of his earthly transition, he was employed as an instructor at East Central Regional Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.                   

Blessed with creativity and the ability to bring meaning to people and places, Charles Bickley was a tremendous blessing to those who knew him.

Charles was educated in the public schools of Richland County and was a proud graduate of Dreher High School, Class of 1979. Charles participated in a wide variety of activities while a student at Dreher. He furthered his education and received his Associate Degree in Arts Major Criminal Justice/Behavior Modification from the University of South Carolina in 1984. During his time at the University of South Carolina, Charles was a part of the "A Touch of Faith" gospel choir. Charles obtained his Bachelor Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education Administration from Ashford University in 2013. Four years later in 2017, he received his Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (emphasis in Teacher Leadership) from Salem International University in 2017. Later, in December 2022, Charles received his Doctor of Education Leadership & Innovation degree from St. Thomas University.

Charles was also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated's Columbia Alumni (SC) Chapter.

At an early age, Charles became a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church. He joined the First Nazareth Chorales and sang with them for several years. He eventually was called by the Lord to preach His gospel and became an Ordained Minister.

Charles was preceded in death by his loving sister, Marie Gale Bickley-Ramsey; and nephew, Taylor Reon’Ramsey.

Left to cherish his loving memory are his loving mother, Barbara Bickley of Columbia, SC; son, Daniel Bickley of Columbia, SC; stepdaughter, Misti Pickens of Columbia, SC; foster son, Tobias Guffrey of Hickory, NC; one granddaughter, Dakota Jenkins, one sister, Leslie Bickley-Lamkin of Columbia, SC; two nieces, Taylor Lamkin and Somoya Lamkin, both of Columbia, SC; one grandniece, Bella Lamkin of Columbia, SC; two God-sisters, Tracy Brown of Columbia, SC, and Tonya Holmes Saunders of Augusta, GA; one God-brother, Jeffrey Saunders of Augusta, GA; God-daughter, Melissa D. Saunders; Godsons, Joseph B. Saunders and Lance Stephens of Augusta, GA; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other loving relatives and friends, all of whom join the family in celebrating his life.

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